Pawel Pawlak successfully defended his middleweight championship by defeating Mamed Khalidov via TKO in the final seconds of the fourth round. This victory marks Pawlak's fourth successful defense of the middleweight title, solidifying his position as champion. The dramatic finish came on the last second of round four, demonstrating Pawlak's ability to maintain pressure and finish fights late. Details about the specific promotion or additional context about the stoppage were limited in the original report.
Pawel Pawlak secured a fourth successful defense of his middleweight championship by stopping Mamed Khalidov via TKO in the dying seconds of the fourth round on April 19, 2026.
Pawlak, 37, improves to 12-3-0 with the victory, continuing his reign as middleweight champion. The Polish fighter, who trains out of Octopus Lodz, has now proven himself a durable and persistent champion capable of finishing opponents deep into bouts. Standing six feet tall with a 73-inch reach, the orthodox striker lands 1.67 significant strikes per minute and also contributes on the ground with one takedown per 15 minutes. The late finish underscores his ability to sustain pressure across multiple rounds and still produce a decisive stoppage when it matters most.
Khalidov, one of the most decorated middleweights in European MMA history, was unable to see out the fourth round as Pawlak closed the distance and forced the stoppage at the bell.
Why it matters
- Pawlak's fourth title defense firmly establishes him as the division's dominant figure
- A late TKO over a seasoned veteran like Khalidov carries significant weight for his championship legacy
- The finish demonstrates Pawlak's late-fight durability, a key asset in any future title matchups
